Teen wins dream holiday

November 25, 2011

Ryan Durst, a 13-year-old who has Down syndrome, was presented with a family vacation to visit Orlando, Fla., and its theme parks as part of a Sunshine Foundation Award.

The Philippi teen attended a St. Christopher's Hospital for Children presentation in Philadelphia on Nov. 16, and that's when he learned that he would be one of two children awarded Dreams Come True.

He has always wanted to grow up to be Spiderman. His grandmother, Gloria, said that while he has had limitations throughout his life, he has been very active and watches football and NASCAR, throws football and jumps on his trampoline.

His father returned from an Iraq tour of duty in April and Durst has wanted the family to have this Disney vacation.

The Sunshine Foundation, a 34-year old charitable organization with a mission to answer the dreams of chronically ill, physically challenged and abused children ages 3 to l8, was pleased to help according to Director of Development Shannon Connolly. More than 36,000 dreams have been funded since its founding in l976.